Media Release by The Hon Mal Brough MP

National Aboriginal and Islander Children’s Day

National Aboriginal and Islander Children’s Day (NAICD) is a celebration of children and culture, and an opportunity to remind ourselves that, despite ongoing problems, most Indigenous children experience healthy and happy childhoods.

Up to 1000 organisations and services are expected to organise activities for children across the country surrounding this year’s theme, ‘Raise Children Strong in Culture: Pathways to Healing and Revival’.

Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough, said this was an important year for Indigenous youth, with the Howard Government implementing the National emergency response in June, designed to ensure the protection of Indigenous children from harm.

“In the recent Budget, the Government also provided over $177 million to assist Indigenous young people in their education outcomes.

“Ensuring Indigenous children receive the same opportunities as other Australian children is a priority of the Howard Government,” Minister Brough said

Other measures include:

  • Over $37.4 million for home visits by health professionals and support teams for children, aged 0-8, in outer regional and remote areas;
  • $13.8 million for more playgroup services and to develop Indigenous parenting skills;
  • $23.5 million to establish 20 new Innovative Child Care Service Hubs in rural and remote communities and to provide support for existing child care centres;
  • An extra $8.9 million to support the longitudinal study Footprints in Time, to monitor health and development outcomes of Indigenous babies and 4-5 year olds; and
  • $38.2 million for existing Indigenous primary health care service delivery.

The Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC), the national peak body for to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families, established Children’s Day in 1988 to demonstrate how important children are to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

You can learn more about NAICD from SNAICC’s website (www.snaicc.asn.au), by calling (03) 9489 8099 or email snaicc (snaicc@vicnet.net.au)